Improvement in whiffletree-hooks



M. M. OLIN, A. ZWIEBEL & W. A. BENNETT.

Whiffletree-Hook.

No. 204,682. Patented June H, 1878.

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NFETERS. FHOTO-UTHOGRAFHER, WAsmNfiTQN n c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MILLARD M. OLIN, ANTON ZWIEBEL, AND WILLIAM A. BENNETT, OF BURLINGTON, WISCONSIN.

IMPROVEMENT IN WHlFFLETREE-HOOKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 204,682, dated June 11, 1878; application filed April 25, 1878.

To all 'whom it may concern Be it known that we, MILLARD M. OLIN, ANToN ZWIEBEL, and WILLIAM A. BENNETT, of Burlington, in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trace-Holders; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to theaccompanyingdraw ings, which form part of this specification.

Our invention relates to an improvement in trace-holders; and it consists in placing a spring-catch in the end of the rod or bolt which is screwed into the end of the single-tree, so that the ring upon the end of the trace cannot accidentally come off, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The accompanying drawings represent our invention.

a represents the rod or bolt which is screwed into the end of the single-tree, and over which the ring I) on the end of the trace catches. The head 0 of this bolt a is considerably enlarged, and is made hollow. so as to receive the spring 01, which is placed inside of it. Through one side of this head is cut a circular opening, into which is snugly fitted the pivoted catch a. The coiled or other suitable spring bears against the under side of this catch, and keeps it constantly pressed outward, so that after the trace-ring has been passed over the head it cannot accidentally slip ofi. In pushing this trace-ring on or off the head the catch moves inward, so as to allow it to pass, and then immediately snaps outward behind it. Between the head and the flange g, which rests against the end of the sin gle-tree, there is aniple space for the ring to move back and forth, so that it will be almost impossible for the ring to work itself into such a position that it cannot get over the catch.

Although, as here described, our invention is applied to a single-tree, yet it will answer equally well to fasten check-reins upon. By making the screw shorter, so that it will just pass through the saddle, it answers as the check-rein hook, in which case the ring will tie applied to the end of the check-rein.

Having thus described our invention, we claim- The combination of the screw or rod a, having the enlarged and recessed head 0, spring (1, and catch c, with the trace or check ring D, the catch 0 being made to sink downward as the ring is passed over it, and then snap outward again, substantially as shown.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing we have hereunto set our hands this 16th day of April, A. 1). 1878.

M. M. OLIN. A. ZWIEBEL. W. A. BENNETT.

Witnesses:

A. J. HANNERS, LEVI HARE. 

